La Russa pays tribute to ‘Moneyball'

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ST. LOUISCardinals slugger Matt Holliday is not in the lineup again for Game 3 of the NLDS, but Cards manager Tony La Russa believes there is a chance for another pinch-hitting appearanceif not a startfor the All-Star.

Holliday said he did not receive a cortisone shot for his injured hand because it was feeling better without one.

So once again, La Russa will use Lance Berkman and Allen Craig in the outfield, only the manager moved Craig from right to left field and vice versa with Berkman. So Tony, how did you determine who would play left or right?

Its my tribute to Moneyball, La Russa said. Im not a big Moneyball fan. I have this little place, dont have a big place. So what we do is we take the square footage between the right field line and center field and the square footage and from left field to center field, divide that by pi and we multiply it by bulls, and then we pick the dugout. The field thats closest to the dugout and thats where Lance plays. Thats almost always true. Some places there may beif its spacious, probably not good. Here its close to the dugout, thats where he plays.

That formula is written: (RFCF)-(LFCF)BS (dugout) = Berkman

Meanwhile, La Russa was fined by Major League Baseball for his remarks about umpire Jerry Meals strike zone during the in-game interview on Sunday night. La Russa is fine with the fine.

I have no disagreement at all. As soon as MLB called, my response was, whatever is imposed, youll get no argument, La Russa said. Im embarrassed that I crossed the line. I know what the line is. I got upset and I crossed the line. If I get the chance, I will apologize to Jerry. Like I said, Ive never had any problems with himhes a pro. He has my utmost respect. We were competing and I got upset and crossed the line. So whatever they throw at me, Ill just take it. I deserve it.

E-mail John R. Finger at jrfinger@comcastsportsnet.com

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